USA’s BIGGEST Abandoned Mansion in Renovation - Lynnewood Hall

Lynnewood Hall, once the largest abandoned mansion in the United States, is now beginning a new chapter, ready to impact the lives of everyone who comes through its doors.

This is a follow-up documentary to the first one we posted two years ago. Since then, the Preservation Foundation has been able to purchase the property and initiated crucial cleanup and renovation efforts in key areas of the property. We immediately planned to make a second part to document the progress and future restoration plans, delving deeper into the Preservation Foundation's growth and history. We’ll explore areas never before seen or documented, rooms that have already been worked on, and go more in-depth on the technological innovations that made Lynnewood Hall such a marvel of its time.
Edward will give a brief sum-up of the history of this historic landmark. Still, we encourage you to watch our first documentary before diving into this one, to learn all about Lynnewood Hall and fully appreciate the changes that have unfolded over the past two years.

Learn more about Lynnewood Hall:
Youtube -» @LynnewoodHallPreservationFnd

We wanna give a big thank you to everyone supporting and helping this project, as well as a huge thank you to the Lynnewood Hall Preservation Foundation for preserving history and bringing it back to life!! We look to the past to inspire the future!!

Chapters
0:00 - Intro
3:55 - History of Lynnewood Hall and Peter A.B. Widener
9:15 - Foundations history
15:00 - Lynnewood Hall Gardens
24:20 - Main Gate
25:55 - The rockery
27:50 - Fountain Garden
28:40 - Gate House & Lynnewood Hall Chef
34:10 - Conservatories
36:00 - Campaigns & Support of the Foundation
37:15 - Back Offices (clean up process)
39:35 - Butler's Pantry (clean up process)
40:40 - Offices, Billard room, Library
53:55 - Awards & Moto of the Foundation
56:40 - Great Hall
01:01:10 - Foundations Mission and Vision
01:03:40 - Reception Room
01:06:35 - Raphael Gallery
01:07:55 - Ballroom
01:12:00 - Smoking Room
01:15:50 - Breakfast Room
01:16:15 - Vault
01:17:30 - Butler's Pantry
01:18:20 - Tea Room
01:19:05 - Art Galleries of Lynnewood Hall
01:21:30 - Cellini Bellini Room
01:22:35 - Organ
01:22:50 - Works and History of the Art Galleries
01:25:10 - Van Dyck Gallery (Clean up and Restoration process)
01:27:45 - Guest Rooms
01:30:30 - Servants Areas
01:32:00 - Main Bedrooms
01:37:40 - secret Bathroom
01:39:15 - Attic, Skylights and Servants Bedrooms
01:43:00 - Otis Elevator
01:44:40 - Tunnels
01:46:25 - Basement, Freezers, Silver/Gold Vault and Cellar
01:49:30 - History of Lynnewood Lodge
01:52:20 - Rose Gardens (Peter R. Widener)
01:54:05 - Lynnewood Lodge
02:08:30 - Pathways through the Gardens
02:11:30 - Final Massage (Angie)
02:12:40 - Thank you & Credits
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Written, Directed, Produced, and Edited by
D. Novo Gaspar (Danny) @ES.Forgotten

Cinematography and Filmed by D. Novo Gaspar
Lesley Houben

Hosted by Lesley Houben

Cameraman
D. Novo Gaspar
(Amazing) Drone by Lesley Houben

Voice Over by
Lesley Houben

Foundation members present in the documentary:
Edward T. Thome (Executive Director)
Angie Van Scyoc (Chief Director)
Tyler E. Schumacher (Facilities Site Manager)
Peter Oyloe (Vice Chair)
Peter R. Widener (Chairman)

"Art belongs to those who appreciate it, others merely own it" - Joseph E. Widener (13:10)
Restoration plans Lynnewood Hall, Renovation plans Lynnewood Hall
History of Lynnewood Hall, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
#LynnewoodHall #urbex #explore

[BrosOfDecay]

We have to make a correction on 3 members names we incorrectly spelled and we are terribly sorry!! Angie Van Scoyc, Peter Oyloe and Tyler Schumacher

[JudiStardust]

My heart used to ache to see Lynnewood fall into decay. This video has truly brought joy and excitement at the restoration and future for this magnificent estate. Thank You ❣️

[JaneDoe-nlxw]

Danny wrote, produced, filmed, and edited!! Lesley is a natural in front of the camera. These two gentlemen deserve Hollywood recognition.

[John_Locke_]

Two years ago I discovered your channel via the original tour of this mansion. Can't wait for this follow up.

[PamComorski]

Wow ! Congradulations. Lesley so glad you got to be envolved in this restore and that it will be saved. Makes my heart sings. 64 year old upholster here wish I do all the furniture over . Graduate of Art Insitute here, love the architecture of these old buildingds . If I was 30 I'd be offering my services to save the old gal. Live near Pittsburgh, Pa. So glad one of Pennsylvania's treasures will be saved .

[Schiltax]

Congratulations for making such a huge difference for Lynnwood Hall ❤👏

[clovenhoofdragon]

It’s thrilling that this piece of Americana is finally getting the attention it so vastly deserves.What this property now needs is money and lots of it. If you can, donate. If you happen to have wealthy friends/family please encourage them to step-up in order to make this transformation/preservation happen!

[carlashepherd]

This is fantastic news! I’m so happy Lynnewood Hall is being restored! Wow so far it look’s absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for updating us, can’t wait to see the rest of Lynnewood Hall! 👍❤️🤘

[pmm]

Thank you for re-visiting Lynnewood Hall and for any part you took in saving it through your original tour years ago!! It is such a magnificent place and I’m very happy to know it will be saved !!

[willyegger]

Hey dear Lesley, oh my goodness, I was already awe stricken by your first video with you wearing a historical attire and presenting your fans and viewers this absolutely amazing building. I had the impression you were just showing us your own house, because you were looking like a noble count and casually walking there around as if it was your property, haha...! So lovely and adorable! Moresoever I can hardly wait for you now presenting this magnificient building again with already some restored rooms as seen in your beautifully made trailer.
Lesley, my dear bro, you really never fail surprising and amazing me with every new video you are uploading!
So see you soon!

[sbalogh]

This has been better than many shows on the History Channel. Well done! and thank you

[iansimpkins]

As someone who's spent almost my entire career caring for & restoring historic house museum gardens, this makes me very, very happy. You should be looking at trying to achieve National Historic Landmark status.

[StyleRecordGroupcom]

This is BRILLIANT, Just love what you have done on the Hall, filming, editing, interviews, the whole film is just so amazing to go around the Hall. Much praise from England

[harrietlivengood]

This is a very interesting video. I remember watching your first video of Lynnewood Hall. I’m so excited that this masterpiece will be restored, I’m only sad, at my age of 73, I’ll probably never see the final restoration. Thank you Edward Thome, Nancy Van Seyoc and Peter Oylo for taking the initiative to restore Lynnewood Hall. What a magnificent home and beautiful surroundings. It was very interesting to hear from Peter R. Widener reflecting on his heir’s living in Lynnewood Hall. With all their wealth they were extremely generous and they contributed to worthy causes. Thank you Lesley and Danny for this wonderful presentation. ❤

[claudiamann]

Lynnewood Hall is stunning. I can't wait to see how they progress. It makes me so happy that this important historical building will be saved. Thank you so much for sharing.

[DeBaRe]

Only two mins. in and I have to leave a comment; just wanted to thank you and the people who preserve this beautiful building - you are awesome!

The clean up already looks stunning!

[berkeleythompson]

Such a beautiful house! Thank you so much for this second video. Love the progress that has been made and so happy to hear that it will not only be preserved but also restored. I had a job one summer right out of high school cutting ivy and pachysandra at Lynnwood Hall for a nursery. This was back in the early 80s when it was Faith Theological Seminary. Still beautiful back then although so much was altered. It was already suffering damage back then because they just didn’t have the money for upkeep. Glad to see that all of the detail wasn’t destroyed.

[paulcarfantan]

Well, this wasn`t just a great meal...this was the whole buffet. Holy smokes ! What a documentary ! Two hours and fifteen minutes of pure pleasure. I hope you will do something similar next year, for it will be just as great. Great job.

[markmcadams]

I have been obsessed with this building for over 20 years. So happy that it is being appreciated and restored. Looking forward to supporting the work of the foundation.

[martinadrempetic]

I have always loved old Gilded Age mansions but when i saw your video from 2 years ago i fell in love with Lynnewood Hall. I love how mr.Edward knows all these stories of the family he is a real book of knowlege 🙌.
I am so happy that this magnificent mansion will be restored to its original glory ❤. Absolutely deserves it. So many beautiful mansions have been destroyed but Lynnewood Hall stood all this time waiting for mrs.Angie and mr.Edward to set out a Preservation Foundation and begin the restoration.
I am sure Peter AB Widener is overlooking everything from above and is happy seeing that his beloved mansion will be restored ❤🙌.
Bros of Decay great job 👏🙌🥰